How To Be More Productive: Learn The Life-Altering Practice of Opting Out

It’s More Than Just Saying ‘No’

To watch a show isn’t just to watch a show anymore. It’s an event.

Entangling myself in storylines and plot twists and character motives are akin to creating a second life for myself — one in which I care deeply.

Not to mention the discussions offline about it.

It’s very life-consuming. And usually, the premier of these shows railroad directly against the goals I’m attempting to achieve for myself.

Specifically, I wanted to build a writing habit and become the type of person that doesn’t get easily distracted. But what do you do when your distractions are alluring?

If you have priorities, you likely know this feeling. Like when you’ve just committed to a new savings goal but friends invite you out for dinner.

Spending money you don’t have is a habit you want to break.

Author of Atomic Habits, James Clear says it’s not enough to change your habits, you must change your beliefs. And changing your beliefs take two steps:

1. Decide the type of person you want to be.

2. Prove it to yourself with small wins.

You want to become the type of person that doesn’t spend money they don’t have. Declining their invitation will be a small win.

Opting Out is More Than Saying ‘No’

It’s also saying an unequivocal yes to what you truly want.

As Cal Newport says in Deep Work: “what we choose to focus on and what we choose to ignore — plays in defining the quality of our life.”

Giving energy to anything outside of your chosen goal threatens not only your achievement of said goal but your emotional well-being.

You understand the small window of opportunity that exists for you. And if you dissipate your attention, your work runs the risk of losing its timeliness and potency.

This is also the best way to accelerate your skills. By complete, uninterrupted focus on getting better daily. Not allowing trivial, indiscriminate things to invade your atmosphere.

You’re completely zoned in.

For example, when I wanted to make a career switch, I stopped caring about entertainment. Because the value of it had shrunk significantly in comparison to the importance of a new career.

I didn’t care what television series was popular.

I didn’t care what movies were in the box office.

I didn’t care how many points any basketball player scored last night.

If you’re passionate about anything, there will be many seasons in your life when this occurs. When your surroundings are pervasive and persistent in wanting your attention.

In fact, it never ends. So, the best thing you can do is strengthen your focus.

And the best way to do that is by continually opting out of what doesn’t serve your purpose, your family, and the world at large.